September 26-28, 2024 Meeting agenda - WDFW Fish and Wildlife Commission

Minutes and audio/video recordings

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport
8909 Airport Drive
Spokane, WA 99219

- Committee Meetings

8:00am - 10:00am – Big Tent Committee - Commissioners Lehmkuhl, Baker, Parker, & Smith

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 839 4557 2652

Agenda Topics:

  • Policy Updates
  • Decision Making Processes
  • Budget & Legislation Planning
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

10am - 12pm – Habitat Committee - Commissioners Linville, Lehmkuhl, Ragen, & Myers

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 853 1984 6811

Agenda Topics:

  • Working Lands & Relative Habitat Considerations
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

1pm - 3pm – Fish Committee - Commissioners Anderson, Linville, Ragen, Parker

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 820 4347 2443

Agenda Topics:

  • C-3604: Management Objectives for Coastal Dungeness Crab
  • C-3621: Grays Harbor Salmon Management Policy
  • Resident Native Trout Harvest Management Policy
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

3pm - 5pm – Wildlife Committee - Commissioners Smith, Anderson, Rowland, & Myers

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 861 5116 2887

Agenda Topics:

  • Non-Lead Partnership
  • Wolf Removal Protocol Discussion
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion 

- Regular Meeting Hybrid/Spokane

If you are interested in providing public comments online during a hybrid meeting, please register online.

Virtual Participation:

The following virtual registration deadlines are in effect:

  • Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5pm the day before the meeting begins.
  • Open Public Input is intended for comments on matters not found elsewhere on the agenda.
  • Registrants will be called upon and typically have three (3) minutes to speak.
  • If you are unable to participate, you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page.

In-Person Participation:

The following in-person deadlines are in effect:

  • If you haven't pre-registered, complete a Public Testimony Form, available at the registration table.
  • The form must be submitted at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.

To listen to the meeting, please access it using the Zoom Link or TVW Link

or by phone by dialing 1-253-205-0468 and entering Webinar ID# 889 2485 9656

8:00am - 8:30am – 1. Call to Order

Commissioners Discussion

Meeting Minutes Approval

  • August 8-10, 2024 Hybrid Webinar

Committee Reports

8:30am - 10:00am – 2. Open Public Input

The Commission is a direct link between the citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. NOTE: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that do not already have public input time on the agenda. 

10:00am - 10:15am – Break

10:15am - 11:00am – 3. Director's Report

The Regional Director will welcome the Commission, and the Department of Fish & Wildlife Director will brief the Commission on various items. 

11:00am - 11:15am – 4. Trapping Rule - Decision

Staff will ask the Commission for a decision on the proposed trapping rule.

Staff Report: Stephanie Landry - Carnivore, Small Game, & Furebearer Section Manager

11:15am - 11:30am – 5. Beaver Relocation Rule - Decision

Staff will ask the Commission for a decision on the proposed beaver relocation rule. 

Staff Report - Sahwn Behling - Wetland Wildlife Species Specialist

11:30am - 12:10pm – 6. 4-0 Ranch 2024 Forest Restoration Project - Briefing, Decision

Staff will brief the Commission and ask for a decision on the 4-0 Ranch 2024 Forest Restoration Project. 

Staff Report: Richard Tveten - Lands Division Forest Management Team Lead

12:10pm - 1:10pm – Lunch

1:10pm - 1:40pm – 7. Legislatively Directed Update of Cooperative Management Agreement - Briefing

Staff will brief the Commission on the legislatively directed update of the cooperative management agreement between WDFW and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. 

Staff Contact - Tom McBride - Legislative Director

1:40pm - 2:00pm – Break

2:00pm - 2:30pm – 8. C-3604: Management Objectives for the Coastal Dungeness Crab Background Policy - Briefing

Staff will brief the Commission on updates to the policy that guides management of the Coastal Dungeness Crab Fishery. The updates are intended to modernize the policy and align it with the need to implement a Conservation Plan, pursuant to seeking an Incidental Take Permit under ESA for listed whale impacts. 

Staff Report: Lorna Wargo - Director's Office Marine Fish/Coastal Shellfish Policy Coordinator and Heather Hall, Region 6 Director

2:30pm - 3:30pm – 9. C-3621: Grays Harbor Salmon Management Policy - Briefing, Public Comment

Staff will brief the Commission on the public comments received concerning the draft Grays Harbor Basin Salmon Management Policy language and revisions. 

Staff Report: Marlene Wagner - Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor Fishery Lead & Mike Scharpf - District 17 Fisheries Biologist

Public Comment - This Item Only

3:30pm - 4:00pm – 10. Chronic Wasting Disease Update - Briefing

Staff will provide the Commission with a brief update on Chronic Wasting Disease in Washington State. 

Staff Report: Dr. Donny Martorello - Wildlife Program Science Division Manager, Ben Maletzke - Statewide Wolf Specialist, and Mike Kuttel Jr. - Region 1 Director

4:00pm – Recess

- Regular Meeting Hybrid/Spokane

If you are interested in providing public comments online during a hybrid meeting, please register online.

Virtual Participation:

The following virtual registration deadlines are in effect:

  • Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5pm the day before the meeting begins.
  • Open Public Input is intended for comments on matters not found elsewhere on the agenda.
  • Registrants will be called upon and typically have three (3) minutes to speak.
  • If you are unable to participate, you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page.

In-Person Participation:

The following in-person deadlines are in effect:

  • If you haven't pre-registered, complete a Public Testimony Form, available at the registration table.
  • The form must be submitted at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.

To listen to the meeting, please access it using the Zoom Link or TVW Link

or by phone by dialing 1-253-205-0468 and entering Webinar ID# 850 7779 0392

8:00am - 9:30am – 11. Open Public Input

The Commission is a direct link between the citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. NOTE: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that do not already have public input time on the agenda. 

9:30am - 9:45am – Break

9:45AM - 10:45AM – 12. Meeting Debrief and Future Meeting Planning

The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before, during, or after the meeting and will consider future agenda planning. 

10:45am - 11:00am – Break

11:00am - 12:00pm – Executive Session & Working Lunch

Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(i), the Commission will meet in executive session to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency, matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency.

12:00pm – Adjourn